By ANDY GARDNER

The Department of Environmental Conservation released a statement on Monday claiming that two forest rangers located a missing hunter stranded in Colton, but a Massena man tells a story that contradicts their claim.

Martin Osuch of Massena said he and his son, Martin Osuch Jr. and nephew, Bruce Akins were in the gas station at Sevey’s Corners on Nov. 19 and heard a man asking for directions, saying his son had been lost since 1:30 that afternoon.

Osuch said he spoke with the man and told him he would look for his son, since he has a camp nearby and knows the area.

“We found his tracks, and traced them until we found him,” Osuch said.

He said he had his nephew waited by the road and contact authorities and two DEC Forest Rangers showed up, but didn’t actually go into the woods.

“They stayed on the highway,” Osuch said.

But the DEC claims that their officers actually undertook the search and found the missing 21-year-old outdoorsman.

“Two Forest Rangers responded to the location on Route 56, and quickly located the missing hunter by voice contact. The Forest Rangers escorted him back to where he entered the woods,” a prepared statement from the DEC reads.

Osuch said he couldn’t recall the hunter’s full name, but said his first name is Jeffrey. He isn’t identified in the DEC statement.

“I was thankful we found the individual and he was alright. I’d hope somebody would do that for my son,” Osuch said. “It was a good deal.”

DEC spokesman Steve Litwhiler was unavailable for comment.

The DEC's statement in its entirety:

"Lost hiker: On November 19, 2014 at 7:37 p.m., DEC Central Dispatch received a call from St. Lawrence County 911 requesting assistance from DEC Forest Rangers in locating a lost hunter. A 21-year-old male from Potsdam, NY had entered the woods near the old Backwoods Inn on Route 56 in Colton and was last seen at 1:30 p.m. He did not show up at the designated time to meet his party. Two Forest Rangers responded to the location on Route 56, and quickly located the hunter by voice contact. The Forest Rangers escorted him back to where he entered the woods. He was evaluated by Colton Emergency Services, and released to his party at 8:30 p.m. New York State Police and DEC Environmental Conservation Officers provided additional assistance."